The hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship in 1985 is a grim chapter in the history of international terrorism, remembered notably for the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, an American Jewish passenger. This event not only marked a shocking episode of violence against civilians but also had profound implications for international relations and counter-terrorism policies.

Background:

On October 7, 1985, four armed members of the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF), a faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro. The ship was sailing from Alexandria to Port Said, Egypt, with 320 crew members and 80 passengers on board. The hijackers demanded the release of 50 Palestinians detained in Israel. The crisis unfolded over two days, capturing the world's attention and leading to a diplomatic standoff that involved several countries.

Details of the Attack:

The hijackers seized control of the vessel, directing it to sail to Tartus, Syria, to negotiate with authorities there. When Syrian officials refused to allow the ship to dock, the hijackers murdered Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old wheelchair-bound Jewish American passenger. Klinghoffer was shot in the head and chest, and his body, along with his wheelchair, was thrown overboard. This act of brutality was purportedly in retaliation for his Jewish heritage, as the hijackers sought to make a political statement against Israel.

The crisis ended when the Egyptian government negotiated a deal that allowed the hijackers to leave the ship in exchange for the hostages’ safety. However, the aftermath of the hijacking was mired in controversy and international legal battles, including the interception of an Egyptian airliner by U.S. fighter jets, forcing it to land in Italy, where the hijackers were then arrested.

Victims of the Attack:

The primary victim of this heinous act was Leon Klinghoffer, who was on the cruise celebrating his 36th wedding anniversary with his wife, Marilyn Klinghoffer. His murder became a symbol of the atrocity of terrorism worldwide, bringing to light the vulnerability of civilians in the face of political extremism. Marilyn Klinghoffer, who was left to deal with the traumatic loss of her husband under such horrific circumstances, passed away from cancer four months after the hijacking. The Klinghoffer family later established the Leon and Marilyn Klinghoffer Memorial Foundation with the Anti-Defamation League to combat terrorism through educational programs.

The Achille Lauro hijacking remains a poignant reminder of the indiscriminate violence of terrorism and the human cost of political conflict. Leon Klinghoffer's murder is particularly remembered as a tragic testament to the brutality of the hijackers, whose actions sparked international outrage and a renewed focus on efforts to combat terrorism.